February 3, 2023
LOCAL NEWS Ben Gray named to Board
History Nebraska announces that Ben Gray will fill a vacant seat on the Board of Trustees effective today. Gray fills the seat vacated by Connie Spellman, who stepped down in for personal reasons. Gray will serve the remainder of Spellman’s term through 2023 and will be eligible for reelection. Gray’s history of service to the Omaha community began at KETV Channel 7 where he worked for more than 34 years. Ben worked tirelessly to help build a more diverse workforce within KETV at every level. He challenged business leaders, elected officials and community advocates to recognize their responsibilities to the community in general and to specifically respond to the severe needs of North Omaha. Besides the work Ben did as a photojournalist and producer at KETV he took on other responsibilities both inside and outside the station. For 30 years Ben produced and hosted the popular, award-winning public affairs show, Kaleidoscope. The show was his effort to keep the community informed on major issues locally and nationally, yet presented the information from an African American perspective. In addition to the day-to-day work in the newsroom, Ben began working with hard core gang members in 1986. In 1989, Ben convinced the management at KETV to hire one of the most talked about gang members in Omaha. Ben had the strong belief that if disadvantaged young people and those feeling left out could see how corporate America works they too had a chance at the American dream.
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Also, while at KETV, Gray was elected chairman of the African American Achievement Council. This group of community volunteers worked directly with the Omaha Public Schools to find solutions for underachieving Black students. For more than eight years, the council worked directly with students, worked with teachers and administrators as well as the community. Among our proudest achievements was going from a 51% graduation rate for African American students to an 81% graduation rate over the course of eight years. In 2008, Gray retired from KETV and took a job with the Omaha Community Foundation to work with middle school students within the Omaha Public Schools. In 2009, Gray was elected to the Omaha City Council representing District 2. In his personal life, Gray has a deep interest in Nebraska history. He is currently working on a documentary on the Hastings ammunition’s depot from World War II and it’s impact on the people in the area. He has also produced segments for television on the Buffalo Soldiers of Fort Robinson and Susan McKinney Steward who was one of the first Black female doctors in the country who practiced for years at Fort Niobrara.
About History Nebraska
History Nebraska collects, preserves, and shares Nebraska’s history for all people. History Nebraska operates the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln and historic sites around the state including Chimney Rock Museum, Fort Robinson History Center, Neligh Mill State Historic Site, Thomas Kennard State Historic Site, Senator George Norris State Historic
Site, John Neihardt State Historic Site, and over 570 historical markers placed across Nebraska. History Nebraska administers the State Archives and Library; the State Historic Preservation Office; the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center; the Office of the State Archeologist; publishes Nebraska History Magazine and books; and is responsible for the administration of the Nebraska Hall of Fame Commission. More at https://history.nebraska.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. •
NORTH END TELESERVICES, LLC ANNOUNCES NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, EMPLOYEE AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS OMAHA, Neb. – North End Teleservices, LLC (NET), announces its new Vice President of Human Resources, Employee and Community Relations. Keisha Thomas, who has served with the company since its launch in September 2015 holds the title of the first employee hired at NET. She joined the company, located at 24th and Hamilton Streets as the Human Resources Project Manager. “In her new role, Thomas will continue to advance the human resources strategy and reach to each employee, crafting the company’s ability to continue the mission of creating jobs and changing lives,” said Chris Phillips, Chief Operating Officer of North End Teleservices. “Keisha has played an instrumental role in shaping the internal culture and employment brand,” said Carmen Tapio, CEO of North End Teleservices. “She’s an incredible person and leader who always puts the best interest of our employees first. She has helped us navigate the HR requirements from a small start-up to where we are today as an Inc. 5000 company. Her contributions are not only centered on the company and our
employees, but she also plays a significant role through her board service and community-facing contributions. Her impact is evident in who we are as an organization.” Thomas most recently served as the Director of Human Resources, Employee and Community Relations at North End. She has grown the department, recruiting, development and compliance strategies over the past seven years. She plays a pivotal role in achieving North End’s mission of creating jobs and changing lives. “We are extremely proud of the work Keisha has done and continues doing for our organization. She advocates for our employees every single day and is an instrumental part of our employee development,” Phillips said.. “Keisha is a vital member of our leadership team. Keisha has led the Human Resources human capital strategy, growth, and development to a place our organization applauds. She is a key and foundational team member of North End Teleservices.” A graduate of Creighton University and SHRMSCP certified, Thomas currently serves on Metropolitan Community
College’s Business Administration Advisory Board, Heartland Workforce Solutions Board of Directors, Heartland Workforce Solutions Strategy, and Innovation Committee, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce’s Greater Omaha Worklab (GrOW) Advisory Committee, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Employer Coalition for CODE, Avenue Scholars Community Advisory Committee and the Business Ethics Alliance Advisory Committee.
About North End Teleservices, LLC
North End Teleservices, LLC (NET) is an omnichannel global provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) to small and large businessto-business and businessto-consumer government and commercial entities. The company is committed to creating jobs and changing lives. North End Teleservices is a certified woman-owned, minorityowned, HUBZone and Enterprise Zone business serving as an extension of its client’s brands and service delivery model. NET customizes contact center operations to meet every client’s specific needs. You dream it, NET builds it. •
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